BOREHAM Wood boss Luke Garrard was full of praise for Southend United goalkeeper Nick Hayes following Saturday's 1-1 draw at Meadow Park.

Hayes, who is with Blues from Ipswich Town, made a number of fine saves to help the Shrimpers secure a share of the spoils.

And Garrard felt Hayes produced a man of the match display to stop his side taking all three points.

"Their keeper, if he doesn't get man of the match for them and he's not in the Non-League Paper, it will be a travesty," Garrard told the club's YouTube channel.

"He's pulled off four worldies.

"They're not half-saves or half-chances, they're worldies.

"To a man the players were class and we looked like we were going to go and win the game."

Southend took the lead midway through the first half with Jack Bridge on target from the penalty spot.

But Garrard was pleased with how Boreham Wood reacted to the setback.

"I thought we were excellent in the first half, even when they got the goal," said Garrard.

"They came at us for the first 10 or 15 minutes and we had to get to grips with it.

"From their goal onwards in the first half I thought we were dominant and in the second half we were full throttle."

And Garrard felt his side should have taken more from the game.

"Is it two points dropped to a team who have won their last four in the division and scored eight in their last two and not conceded in their last four?," said Garrard.

"It would be harsh to say that but I do think we are the team who should've won the game."